“I have every record that he’s ever worked on. He’s definitely one of the creative forces for bringing synthesizers to pop music. People know his name, they hear it and they get nostalgic. They wanna come and hear the old songs—but in this day where we have tons of celebrity DJs, they’re putting on a show. It’s definitely much more interactive these days, I’d like a more interactive show.”

4/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

5/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

Mark Vaccariello, 53, produce manager, Staten Island

“I used to play a lot of Depeche Mode and Erasure; it was fun music. I thought he’d be playing a lot of older stuff. But you know, a lot of people are into this electronic stuff of the future, so I’m not surprised he’d play more to the younger crowd.”

6/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

7/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

8/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

Brian Burgess, 42; public relations, Hells Kitchen

“Vince Clarke is the maestro. Ypu know Vince Clarke is the ultimate introver—but I love that he’s here, he’s on stage and he’s doing his own thing. Sixteen albums of Erasure…you can’t go wrong. This is what I grew up on, and he pioneered so much."

9/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

10/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

Domenico Racco, left

“I felt like he wasn’t himself, I know he can do better. Maybe if he performed a little bit more of his own music.”

Susan, 35; display designer; Verona, New Jerseyl right

“I thought I was gonna hear more Erasure and Depeche Mode. I’m very disappointed. I feel bad because he was a huge name; he’s a pioneer in the industry."

11/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

12/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

13/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

14/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

15/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

16/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

17/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

18/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

19/19Photograph: Filip Wolak

Vince Clark DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

When: Saturday, August 3

The scene: Vince Clarke’s DJ set at Le Poisson Rouge

Fans at the NYC deejaying debut of Vince Clarke, a founding father of Depeche Mode, Erasure and Yazoo, were probably there to hear throwbacks like “Just Can’t Get Enough.” But apart from a few hits early on, Clarke largely failed to oblige—most of the set hewed to the kind of techy material heard last year from VCMG, his collaboration with former DP partner Martin Gore. The iconic producer left the stage in a hurry—as did some in the crowd